The Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand
Captured and Abused
Thailand is one of the few countries where wild Asian elephants roam free. Though some are wild, the population of these elephants is severely threatened and most are captured and abused. As a means of sourcing an income, local mahouts (elephant caretakers), have forced these creatures into domestication for logging, performances and live shows. A century ago there were around 100,000 elephants living in the wild and today, there are only between 3 and 4,000. Worse still, over half of these numbers are registered as captive. These numbers demonstrate a dramatic loss and an ironically sad reality for Thailand’s national animal.
Rehabilitation and Sanctuaries
Due to this history of mistreatment and captivity, Thailand has now put in great efforts to govern these malpractices, rescue these animals and rehabilitate them in non-profit organizations or sanctuaries. At these sanctuaries, the elephants can live their lives free from abuse and with the support many of them need. Many elephants in the care of these sanctuaries are either old, injured or traumatized from the abusive training they once received.
In order to fund the care needed in these parks, the organizations open up their doors and offer unique experiences for tourists to interact with these once wild animals. The profits from these visits are then invested straight back into the care needed for the elephants. When it is done correctly, it’s a great cause that we can all stand behind and take part in.
A step forward
A shift has begun in raising awareness for ethical tourism and this is one area where the past consequences of the tourism industry are being reinvented to give back what it once took away. Whereas tourist dollars once paid for and contributed to inhumane elephant performances, now your money can help correct the situation and provide an income to the local communities.
A positive impact and a unique experience for the visitor, it is a privilege to be so up close and intimate with such beautiful and intelligent animals. It’s no wonder that on a trip to Thailand, a visit to an Elephant Sanctuary is a must and often a highlight of the trip. Despite making great progress, issues of abuse and inhumane captivity are still prevalent and it’s your job as a tourist to neither reward or promote these malpractices.
Be careful and be ethical
Some organizations will claim to be ‘sanctuaries’ or ‘parks’ in order to attract tourists and visitors but fail to uphold the proper treatment and care for these animals. Unethical organizations will claim to be the opposite, so do your research and make sure you’re giving your money to the right business!
The best and most reputable sanctuaries are those that do not allow tourists to play and interact with the elephants as if they were puppies. These are wild animals and though they have been abused into a degree of domestication, we should respect them and their space. The rehabilitation process is aimed at encouraging them back into their natural behaviors and states. Offering unnatural and intimate interactions begs the question, do they continue any abusive training ?
Most ethical and reputable sanctuaries still allow up close interactions, hands-off baths, feeding and some brief contact. An ethical sanctuary allows the elephant to make its own decisions, they never force an elephant into an interaction with a tourist. And trust me, getting to touch these animals even for a second is enough to make an incredible experience.
ETHICAL SANCTUARIES
Promote and advertise a ‘hands off’ experience
Never force the elephants into human interactions - it’s always on the elephant’s terms
Limit the number of visitors to ensure small groups
Maintain wide open spaces and freedom for the animals
Educate their visitors on the malpractices of elephant captivity and raise awareness in prevention
UNETHICAL SANCTUARIES
Offer elephants rides or ‘trekking’
Offer unnaturally close contact, cuddles and interactions
Display tricks and performances
House the elephants in an environment that is not natural or confined
Have very large guest numbers
Now that you have an idea of what to keep an eye out for, let’s take a look at some of the best and most ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand.
THE BEST ETHICAL ELEPHANT SANCTUARIES IN THAILAND
BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai
BEES Website | Google maps location
An Australian traveler, Emily and her Thai partner, Burm opened this sanctuary in 2011. BEES focuses on several causes and makes great efforts in a positive impact on the local environment. In addition to elephant rehabilitation, BEES focuses on local forest preservation and has even planted 10,000 trees since 2012. Planting trees and growing some of their very own crops are just a few ways BEES takes care of the environment and gives back to the local community. They also rescue cats, dogs and are involved with community education, conducting clean up days and domestic animal outreach programs. They list offering volunteer opportunities on their website but don't offer any specific details, contact them directly if you’re interested.
VISITOR INFO
Details as listed on their website:
“Our main program runs Monday to Sunday. Shorter programs of Overnight stay (Mainly Monday-Tuesday OR Thursday to Friday) and 3 nights/4days (Runs Monday to Thursday OR Thursday to Friday) Contact us for further details on pricing and duration. Note that due to logistical issues we are unable to accommodate half day visits with the minimum being overnight for all inclusive programs i.e including pick up day 1 and drop off to Chiang Mai end of day 2. Alternatively Day Visits can be booked but you must make your own way to and from the Sanctuary, arriving 8am on the day of booking. Contact us for further details on pricing and duration.”
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai
Kindred Spirit’s Website | Google maps location
At Kindred Spirit, their aim and mission is to bring elephants back to their home. This sanctuary opened in 2016 and since then has won an award for its ethical practices and standards of care. Kindred Spirit places a focus on working with the local communities and providing an alternative livelihood for the mahouts (elephant owners / caretakers). This means they take not only the elephants into their care, but also the locals whose livelihood is dependent on the animal. A smaller sanctuary, Kindred currently has five elephants at their park.
They offer volunteer partnerships with organizations and companies looking to send volunteer groups abroad, check out more volunteer details at the end of this post.
VISITOR INFO
All packages include transport, accommodation and food.
2 days + 1 night : 1 person- 10,00THB (330$)
2 + persons - 5,300 THB (180$)
2 days + 2 nights: 1 person - 11,500 THB (360$)
2+ persons - 7500 THB (250$)
Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai
Elephant Nature Park Website | Google maps location
One of the oldest, largest and more popular elephant sanctuaries in Thailand is the Elephant Nature Park. I actually visited this sanctuary in 2017 and can attest to its authenticity and ethical practices. I was able to partake in up-close interactions, feedings and hands-off bathing. The Elephant Nature Park offered an inclusive experience and was very informative on their care and each elephant in the park. ENP actually allows you the chance to sponsor an elephant and is involved in rescuing other animals like buffalos, dogs, horses and goats.
VISITOR INFO
Skywalk Single day visit : 3,500 THB ($100 USD)
Short Park visit: 2,500 THB ($73 USD)
Single Day visit: 2,500 THB ($73 USD)
Overnight 2 days + 1 night: 5,800THB ($170 USD)
They also offer a large range of different visitor packages, in other city locations and in the northern mountains of Chiang Mai. Check out all the different packages here https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/enp/
Never Forget Elephant Foundation in Northern Thailand
Never Forget Website | Google maps location
Never Forget Elephant Foundation or NFEF is a newer sanctuary and opened its doors in 2019. Located 400km southwest of Chiang Mai and deep in the mountains, this sanctuary is a unique experience. Their approach is aimed at returning these endangered animals back to their natural habitat - the jungle. At NFEF, they prioritize a fully authentic, immersive and ethical experience. Here there is no bathing, riding or any unnatural behaviors from the elephants. A visitor here will be able to live in the jungle, amongst the locals and the Never Forget herd. Located near the Myanmar border, Never Forget is involved with the local community and Karen Hill Tribe. A visit to this sanctuary is much more like a deeper volunteer experience and they even offer a yoga retreat program for companies or businesses looking for a venue. As a visitor, you will be involved with the community, hike in the jungle, be amongst the elephants and learn about the positive impacts you can have on the local and global community at large.
VISITOR INFO
Providing a fully immersive experience, visitors must apply for their 7-day program.
Total cost: $875USD
Reserve your spot with a $200 USD non refundable deposit and pay the remaining balance of $675 USD one month prior to your arrival.
Included in the price is three plant based meals a day, round trip transport from Chiang Mai and bamboo hut accommodation with shared western style toilets and showers.
More details on the experience here.
Contact NFEF at this email: info@neverforgetef.org to book you stay and enquire about dates and pricing.
Check out their yoga retreat program.
Boon Lott’s Sanctuary BLES in Sukhothai
BLES Website | Google maps location
Another fabulous and ethical sanctuary, Boon Lott’s or BLES for short. Here, they offer support to the local elephant owners who lack funds to take care of their animals. They promote interactions on the elephants’ terms and offer a more involved visitor experience at their park. BLES provides jobs and housing to the mahouts and families, making their involvement in the local community a priority. They keep guest numbers low to avoid stressing the animals and due to their limited guest size, they are often booked far in advance- sometimes even 1-2 years out! So make sure you book ahead if this is the one for you. A visit here isn’t just a quick day trip, they promote a more involved visitor experience, a real adventure!
As mentioned, BLES offers an in-depth volunteer opportunity and you can even adopt an elephant, ‘symbolic adoptions’ of course. Volunteer information will be at the end of this post.
VISITOR INFO
Transport and meals are included in pricing
BLES recommends staying 1 full week for the full experience. Most visitors stay Monday-Friday.
A minimum of one night visit: 6,000 THB ($176 USD) per night.
Accommodation is located 10 minutes from sanctuary, amenities include wifi, hot water, a swimming pool and a bar.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary on Phuket Island
Phuket Sanctuary Website | Google maps location
This is Phuket’s very first and most ethical elephant sanctuary. It actually operates as a sister project of the Elephant Nature Park. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary prides itself on the 30 acres of land that they provide for their rehabilitated elephants. They have recently built and just opened a 600 meter long canopy walkway. With the installation of this canopy walkway, visitors can observe the elephants with a unique view from above.
VISITOR INFO
Canopy Walk Program: 90 minute program at select available times. View elephants from canopy walk above, includes feeding the elephants, snacks and refreshments.
1900 THB ($55USD) per Adult
950 THB ($28 USD) per Child (4-12 Years)
Free of Charge for Children under 4
Hands-off Experience: 1pm - 5pm | 100% hands-off ethical elephant experience
THB 3,000 ($88USD) per Adult
1,500 THB ($44 USD) per Child (4-12 Years)
Free of Charge for Children under 4
Half day Visit (morning or afternoon)
3,000 THB ($88 USD) + private transfer 2,000 ($58 USD) THB
Full day Visit
THB 7,000 ($205 USD) per Adult
3,500 THB ($102 USD) per Child (4-12 Years)
Free of Charge for Children under 4
Private experiences: For bookings & inquiries, please contact : info@phuketpes.org
Private Tour guide : A dedicated and experienced guide will personally take you through our regular half day, full day or PES Canopy Walkway program
VVIP Group :A truly intimate and once-in-a-lifetime experience. During your VVIP visit you have the entire sanctuary to yourself, allowing you to spend some quiet and serene hours alone with the elephants.
Surin Project - Save Elephant Foundation SEF in Surin Province
Surin Project Website | SEF Website | Google maps location
This is the Surin Project, it’s located in Southeast Thailand, not far from the Cambodian border. This sanctuary places a heavy importance on including the mahouts in their rehabilitation and mission. The Save Elephant Foundation is located in the small village of Baan Tha Klag. It has over 2,000 acres of land and doesn’t actually own or purchase the elephants. Instead, they work with the mahouts offering weekly salaries and other incentives. At SEF, mahouts can come and live with their elephants, learn better care practices and how to be considerate of the elephants and their needs. An issue remains when buying elephants from a mahout, oftentimes the owners simply proceed to buy another animal as a means to replace the lost income; and so the problem continues. The Surin Project believes including mahouts in the rehabilitation process to be a crucial part of fixing that problem.
VISITOR INFO
The only way to visit this sanctuary is by volunteering for a minimum of one week. More information is listed in the volunteer opportunities section of this post, keep reading!
Phang Nga Elephant Park in Phang Nga, Southern Thailand
Phang Nga Website | Google maps location
Phang Nga Elephant Park is a small, family run sanctuary. The family at Phang Nga has cared for elephants for over 150 years, making this a generational family business. At Phang Nga, they believe that ethical elephant tourism could be the only way to save the Asian elephant. They heavily promote ethical tourism and offer ethical programs in their education center and visitor experiences for the whole family.
VISITOR INFO
In both packages, visitors are paired with an elephant and guide for the whole experience so that you may form a special bond with your elephant.
Included in pricing is transport, lunch and complimentary refreshments.
Elephant Care Experience: (4-5 hours) Visitors learn about daily routines, explore the jungle, prepare food, assist in bath time plant food. Spend 4-5 hours
Minimum sign up of 2 people; 3,900 THB ($114 USD)
2,900 THB ($85 USD) per child (7-14 yo)
Under the age of 7 not permitted -
1 person 1500 THB ($44 USD)
Family Elephant experience: (4-5 hours long )
Family Price: 8900 THB ($261 USD) ( 2 adults and 2 children) includes children 6 y.o and below.
Contact for customized or tailored experience
Visit their site for more information on a ‘unique dawn or dusk elephant experience’ and ‘a special introduction to the asian elephant ‘https://phangngaelephantpark.com/ethical-elephant-programmes/
Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park
Elephant Hills Website | Google maps location
Elephant Hills is the most luxurious option on this list and is located in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. I’ll admit, the luxury associated with this option doesn’t exactly agree with my need to rough and tough it. That being said, sometimes we like to treat ourselves and it is still a ‘tent’, right?. While what they promote is far more luxurious compared to the others on this list, Elephant Hills very much provides an ethical and authentic sanctuary experience as well. Here they offer 2 - 4 day ‘soft adventure’ tours and luxury tented camps for accommodation. Locations offered are in the bush mountains of Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. Both Chiang Mai and Khao Sok are stunning places to visit and should be on everyone’s list of must-visits.
VISITOR INFO
The packages here are fully inclusive of food, accommodation and transfers.
Khao Sok National park - southern Thailand
Rainforest Nature Safari
4 days + 3 nights: 25,765 THB ($756 USD) per adult
Family Jungle Safari
2 days + 1 night: 13,875 THB ($407 USD) per adult
3 days + 2 nights: 20,475 THB ($600 USD) per adult
Jungle Lake Safari
3 days + 2 nights: 23,980 THB ($703 USD) per adult
Bush camp in Chiang Mai- northern Thailand
2 days + 1 night: 13,875 THB ($407 USD) per adult
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Feeling inspired to get involved in the cause? Take it one step further and volunteer more of your time at one of these incredible sanctuaries.
Phuket Sanctuary
Volunteering at the Phuket sanctuary will include tasks such as cleaning, composting, building fences and preparing food for the elephants.
VOLUNTEER INFO
* All prices include accommodation, daily meals and round trip transport from anywhere in Phuket
1 day: 4,500 THB ($132 USD)
3 days: 9,000 THB ( $264 USD)
1 week : 18,000 THB ($528 USD) - Only ages 18+ up can volunteer for 1 week
Surin Project
At Ban Tha Klang village, volunteers will be given the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the local Gwi culture. Tasks include daily walks with elephants, general upkeep of the park, feedings and more. Surin is still transitioning and educating the locals in the cause, which means evidence of abuse and inhumane treatment is still present in the local community here. Volunteering at Surin gives you an authentic inside look at the mistreatment of the elephants in village and be warned, you may witness suffering. During the project, Surin supports 12 elephants at a time. At the study center, there can be up to 150-200 elephants, many not yet rescued and still being used in tourism.
VOLUNTEER INFO
Cost : 13,000 THB ($375 USD) 1 - 8 weeks | 16 years and older- 16 with adult
Pricing includes: basic single or shared accommodation, 3 buffets meals a day (vegan / vegetarian food always available ), drinking water and round trip transport from Buriram to the Project.
Kindred spirit
At Kindred Spirit, they offer some really unique internship opportunities that pair professional skill building with community work and hands-on elephant research.
VOLUNTEER INFO
Internships 4- 8 weeks | All expenses included: $1500-2100USD
Elephant Research Internship : This internship requires hiking, data entry and completing project work related to elephant research. You may be required to give talks or presentations on conservations and elephant research in order to help raise awareness.
Photography / Marketing Internships: - This internship involves photographing for Kindred Spirit’s website and social media platforms. They may sometimes require work in the community, taking photos and assisting staff with any visitors or volunteers.
Elephant Nature Park
Being one of the larger sanctuaries, Elephant Nature Park offers a massive variety of different volunteer packages. Most volunteer programs are around a week long. Some to mention are: a visit to a Cambodian sanctuary, the Surin project, a single day visit to Elephant Haven, Veterinarian volunteer programs and dog projects.
VOLUNTEER INFO
Go to their website, click on the link above to browse the different volunteer opportunities and enquire online for prices and details.
Boon Lott’s Sanctuary BLES
Since visitors can already stay for up to a week, a volunteer opportunity at BLES allows you to really dive into the local culture. This opportunity stands out from all the rest. Ensuring a deeper experience, they require a minimum 3 month commitment and volunteers should be ready to work. You will be immersed into the sanctuary daily activities, chores and should be open to learning basic Thai language skills, as most people in the park will not speak English. Volunteers also need to be financially stable enough to provide for themselves throughout their stay. This means a cost of 15,000 THB ($440 USD) a month. Contact them at the link above to go all in on a truly authentic experience.
VOLUNTEER INFO
3 month minimum
15,000 THB ($440 USD) x month
COVID-19 IMPACT
During my research, many of these sanctuaries and non-profit organizations were severely impacted by COVID-19. Thailand as a country is heavily dependent on the tourism industry and these sanctuaries are no exception, they rely on tourists to fund their projects. Donate if you can or even better, visit! Thailand is open for tourism today and I encourage you to consider these sanctuaries first on your trip to the Land of Smiles.
Madeline